HEIF/HEIC support with PhotoStructure

Why? #

Several smartphones default to storing photos as .heic, rather than .jpeg. These .heic files are compressed with the High Efficiency Image File Format. Unfortunately, due to patent and licensing issues, it’s up to you to manually install one of these software packages on your own computer if you’re not on macOS.

🛡 Consider using VirusTotal #

Always scan any software before installation.

macOS installation #

On macOS, you’re already all set. PhotoStructure (as of v1.0.0) uses sips, which is installed as part of macOS, and has been since 10.3.

Linux/Debian/Ubuntu installation #

On other platforms, PhotoStructure looks for an externally-installed copy of heif-convert, which is part of libheif.

Open a terminal and run

sudo apt install libheif-examples

Windows 10 installation #

Option 1: Use Cygwin #

If you’re already using cygwin, just install the libheif-tool package:

  1. Launch the Cygwin setup-x86_64.exe
  2. Bounce on the “Next” buttons until you get to the Select Packages window.
  3. In the View pulldown, select Full.
  4. Type libheif-tool into the Search box
  5. In the New column, pick the latest version (currently 1.10.0-1)
  6. Click Next.

PhotoStructure will automatically look in C:\cygwin64\bin (after looking at all other directories already in your %PATH%).

Option 2: Install manually #

We’ll be using this fork of libheif that adds windows support.

  1. Download the Windows binary build of libheif from github.

  2. As with all software, scan the download for viruses.

  3. Extract the contents of the .7z archive. You may need to install 7zip to open and extract the archive.

  4. Move heif-convert.exe into a directory that is in your %PATH%. You may want to add a bin directory to your home directory, put heif-convert.exe in there, and add that directory to your PATH.

    Alternatively, set the PS_HEIF_CONVERT_PATH environment variable to the full native path to the binary.

Verify the installation #

Start PhotoStructure and open the About window. Verify that there’s a âś… green check mark by HEIF support:

Screenshot of PhotoStructure’s about page (v1.0.0)

Screenshot of PhotoStructure’s about page (v1.0.0)

See also #

Photo of Matthew

Hi! I’m Matthew, the author of PhotoStructure. I’m a dad, amateur photographer, and author of open source, adtech, fintech, and edtech software since the turn of the millennium. He/him. I am building a self-hosted, safe, and fast new home for all your photos and videos.
Your memories deserve PhotoStructure. Try it out for free!